'Snooki' Production Addressed by Township Officials
"Jersey Shore" spinoff filming at Manchester home into October
MTV stars Snooki and JWoww are filming in a Manchester home, township Business Administrator Elena Zsoldos said Monday at the council's regular meeting.
"The fact is that they are here. They're renting a home here in Manchester," Zsoldos said.
On Friday, Mayor Michael Fressola told Manchester Patch that he received word from the owner of the filming site, a large, modern two-story home on Johnson Avenue near the POW-MIA Park, that the two "Jersey Shore" cast members were moving in to film their "Snooki & JWoww" spinoff.
Around that time, multiple residents who live on or near the street wrote in to Manchester Patch to say that they saw trucks and other vehicles with New York license plates at the home as crews prepared for filming.
The 495 Productions show, which recently was renewed for a second season, was told filming could not take place in Toms River, where an ordinance prohibits filming in residential areas. Filming also was denied in Morristown and Point Pleasant, but nothing in Manchester's code excludes the MTV show, or any production, from shooting at a home.
"The township looked to see if there were any ordinances on the books that would prevent them," Zsoldos said. "There were not. In light of that, we really had no choice but to allow it."
"I felt that as a matter of law we can't prevent anybody from filming indoors," said township attorney Steven Secare.
Fressola said on Friday that he was told by the property owner that shooting would take place "to a very great extent in the interior" of the home and will be completed in October.
The Manchester Police Department is aware of the township's new neighbors and Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski said following the council meeting that he expects the impact to the area to be "minimal."
"I don't see any real impact," he said. "We have been monitoring it since they've been there."
The chief said that he has spoken with show security and is working to secure a meeting with the production team to further discuss any potential issues. Producers also were told by Klimakowski that township police are available to be hired while off-duty to provide security, if needed.
Traffic through the neighborhood may increase as curious residents try to catch a glimpse of the production, Klimakowski said. The department does not plan to increase patrols through the area, though police will continue to keep watch through the regular random patrols of township streets that are already conducted.
"We don't want to drive a police car down there 500 times per day," Klimakowski said, adding that a heightened law enforcement presence near the home could become distracting to residents.
Though Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jennifer "JWoww" Farley's new show is expected to be more calm than the cast's "Jersey Shore" antics in Seaside Heights — Snooki is an expectant mother now, after all — residents nonetheless are asked to contact the police or the township officials with concerns.
"If they find any problems with it, please contact us, and we will act accordingly," Zsoldos said. "But hopefully with these people being in town, they'll be good neighbors to us and we'll be good neighbors to them."
Klimakowski likewise pledged his department's responsiveness.
"If there are any types of issues, we'll address them," he said.
NEXT DEVELOPMENT
12:08 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I live in the development next to them haven't seen one police cars ride bye since they started working on the house getting it ready for the show and for the party they had on Saturday nite. Hence the traffic has picked up, more people walking around looking. It is very unusual that people are now driving in my cul-va-sac to see. and people are walking around . We all know each other in this delvelopment and these people don't belong here. Also instead of using Nicoletti rd everyone cut thru Etty rd. Yes the mayor did quote in the newspaper that the town is mainly seniors however there are family's here but I would guess he does realize that. Has he read the paper or every watched the show" jersey shore" Nothing but problems. Yes this is a spin off but the old crew has been seen there. I just hope to see more police partrol and a rapid response if needed when a call come in. I just hope the it will be a peaceful filming and that are nice neighbors. I also think that the mayor should have informed the people around the area before they arrived. Oh it could be because we are not seniors yet !!! It's far from his house. Another incident that has happened is that I can home from work after working a long shift at the hospital all night and there was a man in the wood which I own with a video camera and before I could get out of car he walked away later to find him on Johnson ave interviewing people. Who was he ??? No ID noted. I'm hoping it good well and no problems!!
MichaelH
2:46 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
BTW in another newspaper the Mayor admits he knew about this ahead of time, so why didn't he contact the neighbors. He also says his "population" is not going to get excited about this. Theycould care less." Exactly to whom is he referring. He doesn't represent me or those poor neighbors living near by or all the other residents living near there that must put up with the added traffic.
Bryan
1:29 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
This town has more dumb ordinances on the books but not for this? They had multi meetings to approve a dunk n doughnuts & sts tire, one of the twp concerns was the volume of the drive thru speaker!!!!!!! That why if you notice manchester has only 1 drive thru fast food because you have to get a special approval for it! Thats why they are all in Lakehurst & Toms River! Oooh & lets not forget the clown incident, where a local barbra shop hire a clown to stand on Rt 70 to drum up bussiness & thats considered a animated sign, also not allowed, the bussiness owner had to have him stand at the Toms River boarder! Ijust dont see what the shows story line could be at least in Seaside they followed the trash arround the boardwalk. Here they will must like start fights with the neighbors! What else could they do there? This Mayor does NOTHING FOR THE FAMILIES HERE! Everytime there is something addressing us he is on some Parillo tour of Italy! The landfill stinks out its neighbor he does Nothing! GOOD LUCK PEOPLE
MichaelH
1:39 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
My heart goes out to you and your neighbors. This sure was hush-hushed...I guess they didn't care about what those living around this place cared or would be faced with. The idea that they will be content to "just film in the house" is rediculous. This leads to the two roadways that have had many fatal accidents and now the town is allowing this and more traffic. What will the town do as they film outside the home and in the stores making fun of the citizens? Let's hope there aren't more accidents because of this nonsense. For those living near this you have all your neighbors' support--you don't deserve this mess! This town leaders are making fools of all its residents every time we turn around.
MichaelH
1:53 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
How would the Mayor or the Council like to have them in their adult community next door to them? Then it would be a totally different story. Maybe they will feature him in one of their episodes!
onthecuff
2:57 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I do not understand why they can not film in their home towns in NY. Why not have the spin off there? I hope craziness does not occur. Snooki is pregnant but, to some women that means nothing, they still don;t slow down. I hope for a peaceful taping and hopefully it will be over before we know it.....
whocares
3:36 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
who cares......the more you talk about it, the more popular they become......
We Own The Night
3:40 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I would think there is something on the books about MTV running a business in an area that's zoned residential. Who received the kick back on this one? Is this house registered as a rental as required by NJ State law? Way to look out for your constituents Mr mayor.
Katelynn
4:08 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
You guys really need to stop worrying about them and start worrying about yourself. They are young and want to do things I guess you guys had bad memories when you were their age. So stop getting your granny panties in a twist and leave them alone. your only young once in your life.
Ed Norton
4:24 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Now they finally settled in the landfill where they belong! If anyone believes this cast a positive image of our town they have thier head in the sand or up thier A$$ like our has
been mayor!
Ed Norton
4:59 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Elana, have you watched the show? Do you want the teenagers of our town to emulate this behavior. I guess you an old fart with your head up your a$$.
Jane doe
5:50 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Its people like Ed (duh) norton who make the worst out of everything cause their life sucks so badly they want everyone eleae to be miserable right along with him! Poor guy :\
amomwhocares
10:42 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
here's an idea, vote someone else for mayor next time around........
i don't get it??
12:53 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
@amomwhocares...AMEN!!! If ya don't like the way the town is run, CHANGE IT!! It's called an election, and its your right as an American to vote...
We Own The Night
9:19 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
How did they move into a rental without a CO? There's no record of a current CO with the TWP for that address. Some ones not playing by the rules
Sophie Ann
10:05 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
My concern is the disconnect the mayor has to the younger families in the town. He was quoted as saying "my population wont be getting excited about this, they could care less." He lives in a adult community and they are not fans or even aware of the show. The kids in Manchester had this up on their Facebook pages before the Patch even knew about it. I have visions of pre-teens and non drivers riding bikes and skateboards to go see the house. Crossing over rt 571 with no crosswalks or sidewalks to be found. Does he not find that to be a concern??
amomwhocares
11:17 am on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
And I agree, NOT very good wording on your part, Mr. "Mayor". What about those who "do" care and I don't mean in an excited way?
nella
2:13 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
WELCOME SNOOKS AND J WOW LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE FILIMING RIGHT NEXT TO MY HOUSE THIS IS SO EXCITING~ WELCOME TO OUR SMALL LITTLE TOWN WITH SOME CRAZY PEOPLE WHO JUST TALK AND TALK THAT CAN'T GET OVER THEM SELFS. NOTHING IS GETTING DONE AND THEY ARE HERE SO LEAVE IT AS THAT!
Margie
6:45 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Then they should do thier trick as* parties somewhere else